Ethical Issues concerning the defunding of KAIROS

Factsheet Series No. 127, Created: May 2011, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East

What is KAIROS? director Mary Corkery explained, public engagement activities to make Canadians aware of its work abroad is KAIROS Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, acceptable under CIDA’s guidelines.8 commonly referred to as “KAIROS”, is a Canadian non- governmental organization (NGO). 1 Its mission is to unite In a letter to Medicine Hat News, Conservative MP LaVar Canadian churches and religious organizations in a Payne claimed that KAIROS was run in an inefficient “faithful ecumenical response to the call to ‘do justice, manner. Yet, CIDA’s February 2009 evaluation had and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God’ concluded that KAIROS “effectively maximizes the cost (Micah 6:8)”. KAIROS promotes ecologically sustainable effectiveness and strategic impact of the policy and 9 stewardship of energy and resources, economic justice advocacy work of its partners.” As well, Immigration and and human rights through research, public education, Citizenship Minister leveled unfounded advocacy and partnership programs. It works with partner implicit accusations of anti-Semitism against KAIROS. organizations in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle During an address to the Global Forum to Counter Anti- th East. 2 Semitism in Jerusalem on December 16 2009, Kenney declared that the defunding of KAIROS was an example of How and why did the Canadian the Canadian government’s initiatives to fight anti- government defund KAIROS? Semitism. He also alleged there that the organization had On November 30th 2009, KAIROS was informed that its played a “leadership role in the boycott” of Israel. In reality, KAIROS had officially decided against advocating four-year funding request to the Canadian International 10 Development Agency (CIDA) for 2009-2013 had been sanctions or a boycott of products from Israel. KAIROS denied. KAIROS’s funding proposal had initially moved leaders speculated that Kenney might have confused rapidly through CIDA and had been approved at every KAIROS Canada with Kairos Palestine, a group that does level. Nonetheless, it was ultimately denied by the advocate for economic sanctions and boycott to be applied against Israel.11 Kenney later retracted his Minister of International Cooperation, Bev Oda. No single th reason was given for the defunding decision. KAIROS has statement, but as recently as April 11 , 2011 reiterated his contention that there was evidence to substantiate his been financially supported by CIDA since 1976, with the 12 Canadian government’s funding accounting for 39 percent original statement. 3 of the organization’s budget in 2008. What issues were raised in the When the decision was first made to defund KAIROS, Oda government’s defunding of KAIROS? stated that KAIROS’s programs did not meet the 4 In addition to the government’s false allegations against government’s current priorities. According to Oda, KAIROS at the time of the defunding in late 2009, other KAIROS’s request for $880,000 for various public ethical issues were uncovered in the subsequent year. education campaigns in Canada was “a poor way of 5 First, it turned out that Minister Oda, or someone in the spending development money.” Her comments directly Prime Minister’s Office doctored the CIDA memo relating contradicted CIDA’s 2009 evaluation, which stated that to CIDA’s funding. Senior civil servants in fact approved “KAIROS’ program is very much in line with CIDA policies funding for CIDA, and signed a document recommending … and with CIDA’s Overseas Development Assistance 6 funding for KAIROS. Subsequently, someone inserted a (ODA) priorities.” It is rumoured that the government handwritten “not” on the signature page, reversing the was irritated by KAIROS analysis of Canadian mining final decision of senior CIDA officials. 13 Worse, the CIDA practices abroad. KAIROS had drawn attention to officials were not told that the actual meaning of their domestic and international concerns about unethical “approval” signature had been changed. Canadian mining companies’ practices. A February 19 2011 government briefing note to its MPs says, “Our Months after the original defunding, as details and government supports funding to deliver aid and tangible contradictions in the government’s original story results for the people of developing countries, not emerged, Oda was accused of misleading Parliament in subsidizing advocacy.”7 However, as KAIROS executive her initial accounts. Initially (Dec., 2010), Oda had stated that “[she], personally, did not sign that document,"14 and the future, with clear government explanations for that she did not know who had made the decision. funding and defunding decisions. KAIROS officially However, following months of controversy, on February responded to Oda’s defunding decision by emphasizing 14th 2011, Oda admitted that it was indeed her decision to the importance of transparency and accountability for the alter the document, and that, since she was out of Ottawa decision to cut its funding.21 at the time, her Chief-of-Staff Stephanie Machel had inserted the “not” and signed the document on Oda’s 1 Kairoscanada.org . “Who we are”. Accessed May. 12, 2011 behalf, supposedly using a Magic Autopen — a device 2 For more information see CJPME factsheet 74, The Defunding of KAIROS by the reproducing Oda’s signature. After this contradictory Harper Government, Feb 2010. 3 Ibid. change of story was put forth by Oda, there was broad 4 Toronto Star. “Bev Oda cut off KAIROS funding,” Dec. 24, 2009. public outcry and calls for Oda’s resignation. House of 5 The Record. “Oda apologizes for confusion over how KAIROS funding decision th was handled,” Joan Bryden, Mar.18, 2011. Commons Speaker Peter Milliken ruled March 9 2011 6 Kairoscanada.org . “Excerpts from the successful February 2009 CIDA that Oda probably misled MPs in her original testimony, evaluation of KAIROS.” Accessed May. 12, 2011 and that opposition politicians had been justified in 7 Kairoscanada.org . “Frequently Asked Questions: The KAIROS CIDA Funding 15 Controversy,” Feb. 23, 2011. pursuing the issue. A federal election was called March 8 Ibid. st 21 before Oda could be found in 9 Kairoscanada.org. “Excerpts from the successful February 2009 CIDA for her alleged false testimony. evaluation of KAIROS.” Accessed May. 12, 2011 10 Kairoscanada.org . “Economic Advocacy Measures.” Accessed May. 18, 2011 11 Kairos Palestine.“A moment of truth” 2009. p.15. What has been the reaction to the CIDA http://www.kairospalestine.ps/sites/default/Documents/English.pdf . Accessed Minister’s explanations? May. 12, 2011 12 Embassy. “Kenney again links KAIROS with Israel,” Anca Gurzu, Mar. 9, Oda blamed sloppy paper work for the confusion and 2011. 13 Embassy. “Oda: I don't know who altered KAIROS memo,” Lee admitted that “the way in which this case has been Berthiaume, Dec. 15, 2010. 16 handled, including by myself, has been unfortunate.” 14 Ibid. The Conservative government supported Oda and denied 15 CBC. “PM on rulings: 'win some, lose some',” March 10, 2011. 16 Macleans.ca. “The way in which this case has been handled… has been the legitimacy of opposition concerns throughout the unfortunate,” Aaron Wherry, Feb.14, 2011. entire controversy. Prime Minister stated 17 Globe and Mail. “Amid cries of contempt, Harper backs Bev Oda,” Campbell Clark, Feb.16, 2011. that Oda’s responsibility was “to make sure that 18 17 CBC. “Your comments: You are NOT satisfied with Oda's explanation,” Feb. taxpayers’ dollars are used effectively for foreign aid,” 16, 2011. thereby implying that funding for KAIROS was not an 19 MSN News. “Oda Apologizes for ‘confusion’ over document,” Mar. 18, 2011 20 effective use of taxpayer dollars. His reinstatement of Oda NDP. Press release: “Restore KAIROS funding and eliminate political interference in aid agenda: NDP,” Dec. 13, 2010. as Minister of International Cooperation after the 2011 21 Kairoscanada.org .“Frequently Asked Questions: The KAIROS CIDA Funding election, implicitly again dismisses opposition and public Controversy,” Feb. 23, 2011. concerns about Oda’s conduct and the criteria for defunding. Many Canadians believe that Oda intentionally misled the House of Commons; 88 percent of people responding to an online question posed by CBC February 15, 2011 indicated that they wanted Oda to resign due to her dishonest handling of the incident.18 Some media commentators have speculated that Oda was only following orders from above. However, Oda asserts “there was no direction, advice or conversation with the prime minister (or) any of his staff regarding the KAIROS application.”19 In the wake of the “Not” scandal, the Canadian public has become more aware of the disconnect between the current government’s funding decisions and the recommendations by CIDA professional staff. NDP MP John Rafferty asserts that the government should respect the work of civil servants, put aside partisanship and make decisions based on evidence.20 Canadian aid groups are calling for a more transparent, accountable process in